Agriculture

An engagement with the provincial Minister responsible for Human Settlements will be arranged by my office, in terms of the matter relating to accessing relevant housing programmes by farm workers, - dwellers and –residents.

[a]  As indicated, the Western Cape Government adopted a guideline whereby it recommended that 5% of opportunities in a housing project can be allocated to farm residents aged 55 years and older, for implementation by local municipalities in their beneficiary selection processes for housing projects. Municipalities, as part of their planning processes, ensure adherence to afore-mentioned; and if required, could through due municipal approval processes make a decision to increase the percentage allocation in housing projects.

[b]  In terms of the increase in percentage allocation, possible factors to be considered are:

• Local available data on the number of qualifying farm workers, - dwellers and residents, for example the most recent national Census statistics or local specific data drawn from the Housing Demand Database or local socio-economic data reflecting on farm workers, - dwellers and residents, which could provide for a more exact estimation for a possible increase in allocations per locality.

• Not to make the age a requirement as most residents on farms are of the working age [below 55 years], but rather to utilise the already defined applicable, qualifying criteria for housing subsidy programmes.

Of utmost importance would be the roll-out of a communication campaign to create awareness and provision of information to farm workers, especially those that resides on farms. It would be recommended that this campaign should include the provision of assistance for registration on the applicable databases by responsible officials. This could also assist with a more accurate determination of the housing need for local farm workers, - dwellers and residents as well as assist in motivating a possible increase of the percentage allocation.